Similarities between Judaism Buddhism and Christianity

Buddhism vs Christianitysimilarities, differences

In the tolerant and enquiring times in the West over recent decades many people have become interested in other faiths than Christianity in particular in Buddhism.

To some people Buddhism appeals because of its promises of calm and enlightenment where traditional "Creationist" Christianity has come to be intellectually regarded, by many, as having been discredited by the challenge of alternative explanations of Human Existence such as the Darwinian Theory of Evolution.
Non "Creationist" Eastern Mysticism being less open to such intellectual criticism.

Investigations into the diffences and similarities between Buddhism and Christianity show marked differences in doctrinal outlook BUT close similarities in their "Central" teachings abouit spirituality.

As to Doctrinal Outlook:-

There is no "God" in Buddhism equivalent to the Christian God - minor gods and godesses (of Mercy etc.) do appear however. The Buddha is viewed as having been a, remarkable, Human Being who had attained unto Enlightenment and who, out of boundless compassion, had sought to offer guidance to all sentient beings in order to save them from their sufferings.
Personal mortality is followed by reincarnations after better or worse "rebirths" depending upon merit attained in previous lives.
Buddhism's goal in the attainment of Nirvana a state where cravings, desires and even "egos" cease and where, because of the associated merit, one can hope to be freed from the endless chain of rebirths into suffering lives.

There is a personal God in Christianity.
Personal mortality is followed by judgement by God.
Christianity's goal in the attainment of eternal life with God. A reward that is seen as being only available to those who have faith in Jesus Christ, and are made righteous by Him.

Given these substantial differences in doctrine the close similarity between Buddhist and Christian "Central" Spiritual Teachings is perhaps surprising!
Brief resumes of such "Central" Spiritual Teachings from Buddhism and Christianity are set out below:-

Buddhism
Wisdoms & Insights

Many wisdom quotes that demonstrate the Depth of Insights that are recognised by several Buddhist sources are available in the Dhammapada and also in The Lotus Gospel. Disdain for Material Things He who lives looking for pleasures only, his senses uncontrolled, immoderate in his food, idle, and weak, Mara (the Tempter) will certainly overthrow him, as the wind throws down a weak tree. He who lives without looking for pleasures, his senses well controlled, moderate in his food, faithful and strong, him Mara will certainly not overthrow, any more than the wind throws down a strong mountain.

Dhammapada V. 7-8

A Distrust of Intellect They pass from generation to generation,
Poor in virtue and of little happiness,
Oppressed by all the sorrows
And dwelling in the thickets of debate,
Such as, Existence? or Non-existence?
Relying on their propositions,
sixty-two in number,
They become rooted in false philosophy,
Tenacious and unyielding,
Self-sufficient and self-inflated,
Suspicious, warped, without faith.
During thousands and milliards of kalpas
Such hear not the name of Buddha,
Nor ever learn of the truth.

Memories of perfect harmony — Free Malaysia TodayWe respected one another's values and beliefs, so much so that I filled my chest with teachings of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Atheism and so on, in addition to the compulsory Islamic classes for all Muslim girls.

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Popular Q&A

What are the similarities between the religions Hinduism Buddhism Judaism Islam and Christianity

Islam and Christianity, were both formed from Judaism. Whereas Buddhism derived from Hinduism (the most ancient of these religions). So the you can find many common similarities in all of these religions, but only at a few at a time.

every religion is created by humans and that to teach good, so a common thing is humanism

They all believe in 'good people' and 'bad people' and that being 'good' will benefit either oneself and/or the outer community

They all have an idol, 'being' or idols of their worship: Buddha (Buddhism, Allah (Islam), God (Judaism, Christianity), Saints (Christianity), …

What are the similarities between Christianity Judaism and Buddhism

All 3 use prayer and meditation. Christianity & Judaism have similarities, because Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism. Buddhism, however, is an offshoot of Hinduism, & therefore not very similar to either Christianity or Judaism.

What are the similarities between hinduism, buddhism, christianity, judaism, and Islam?

i have to write an essay and I don't know what to write please help

Christianity & Judaism have similarities, because Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism. Buddhism, however, is an offshoot of Hinduism, & therefore not very similar to either Christianity or Judaism.

What are the similarities between religions (Hindu, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism) and Art?

I'm doing an art project for school and have chosen religion as my theme. Its a major piece and i can do almost anything for it. I've chosen to display the similarities between the major religions but I don't know much about them (apart from christianity) and I'm struggling to find inspiration on what to do.
I'm thinking about doing a large collage with a central image of jesus surrounded by smaller black and white and colour images and symbols of other religions. I will also have quotes from the religious books with the pictures.
How can I refine my idea(or change it) and give it m…

Well all religions, especially the ones you mentioned, have as a central theme the idea of sacrifice. Hence, if I were to visually develop a theme for your project it would be the idea of sacrifice, and how this notion permeates people of all faiths. In Christianity you obviously have the sacrifice of Jesus, which is symbolized today in some Christian denominations by the consumption of bread and wine (i.e. Communion). In traditional Judaism, animals were sacrificed. In Islam, sacrifice is given in the form of alms giving, especially to the poor and for the sake of the Muslim community.…

A lama beats a drum during a worship ceremony of Vajry Pestle in the Sera...

It's Interesting...

Since the advent of Buddhism in the west, similarities have been perceived between these two traditions.
In the 13th century, international travelers, such as Giovanni de Piano Carpini and William of Ruysbroeck, sent back reports of Buddhism as a religion whose scriptures, doctrine, saints, monastic life, meditation practices, and rituals were...

Twitter Activity

RT @classy_tina: I hate when people take this Buddhism thing for a joke.. haha.. wah see somebody tek Christianity for a joke and see wah h…
Mon, 6 October 2014 01:39 AM

@Daniel Hugill: Proposal to test this; In KS3 one and a half years Christianity, one and a half years on Buddhism. Problems? Advantages? #rechatuk
Mon, 6 October 2014 07:49 PM

@Sana' Richards: So, we get a review of the core beliefs of Buddhism and Islam, but not of Christianity? #sigh #historyclass
Mon, 6 October 2014 09:21 PM